Configuration Upgrades

Double Monochromators

Our systems can be equipped with double monochromators on excitation and emission arms. Double monochromators are recommended for highly scattering, low emissive samples as they improve the systems stray light suppression and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. A double monochromator in the emission arm allows for up to three detectors mounted simultaneously with software-based selection; two detectors can be fitted after the double monochromator and one after the first of the two monochromators.

Geometries

If further detectors are required, the system can be configured in a T-geometry (pictured above) by the addition of a seperate emission monochromator. This configuration can also be useful to provide a digital detection arm and an analogue detection arm.

Light Source Upgrades

Xenon Lamps

450 W continuous wavelength lamps for steady state measurements. The excitation range is typically 230 nm to >1700 nm. Ozone generating lamps may be used to increase the lower range to 180 nm.

Ultrafast Nanosecond Flash Lamp

Picosecond Pulsed Diode Lasers and LEDs

We manufacture a range of picosecond pulsed laser diodes (EPL Series) and pulsed LEDs (EPLED Series) for Time Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) measurements. Diodes are available over the UV-VIS spectrum starting at 250 nm and are pre-set with a range of repetition frequencies. The driver electronics are built into the light sources, eliminating the need for additional driver boxes and feature true “plug-and-play” usability.

Continuous Wave (CW) Lasers

Various continuous wave lasers for use with the FLS920, FLS980 and FS5 are available. Some CW laser sources may also be pulsed by the spectrometer to allow, for example, upconversion decays with 808 nm and 980 nm excitation to be measured.

Monochromator Options

Diffraction Gratings

The monochromators have triple grating turrets allowing up to three diffraction gratings to be permanently mounted within the monochromator. Standard gratings are generally chosen to cover the wavelength range of the detector. However, should you have more stringent requirements, such as requiring finer linear dispersion or an extended wavelength range, other diffraction gratings are available.

We can offer diffraction gratings with a groove density of 150 g/mm up to >1800 g/mm which allows us to cover the range 200 nm – 8000 nm.

Detector Options

Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs)

Single photon counting detectors comprise a single photon counting photomultiplier, together with an optimised dynode chain, mounted in a light tight cooled or un-cooled housing. The detectors include the coupling flange with the adaptive optics for direct compatibility with all of Edinburgh Instruments’ spectrometers.

The following PMTs are available: Standard PMTs up to 1010 nm, High speed PMTs up to 850 nm, MCP-PMT up to 850 nm, NIR-PMTs up to 1700 nm and gated PMTs.

Analogue Detectors

Analogue detectors are used either for high light level applications with the requirement for high dynamic range, or as alternative detectors in spectral ranges where photomultipliers are unavailable or too expensive. Depending on the required application, the analogue detectors come in a variety of housings with a variety of cooling options. Analogue detectors find application either in the FLS or the LP spectrometers to extend the spectral coverage into the NIR to 5.5 µm.

We offer detector assemblies that are supplied with PIN diodes with an active area of 3 mm. For steady state fluorescence applications the diode is mounted in a two stage TE cooled housing with collection/focusing optics chopper and lock-in. For time-resolved fluorescenceortime-resolved phosphorescence applications, the diode is supplied in a two stage TE-cooled housing and with a digitising oscilloscope for data collection and averaging. The spectrometer’s software automatically downloads the data to allow automated measurements such as TRES and for further analysis and fitting.

Fluorescence Lifetime Upgrades

TCSPC Electronics

The TCC2 is an electronics module with USB interface, which incorporates all the electronic modules required for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) and Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS). This includes constant fraction discriminators, variable delays, time to amplitude converter and a large memory for multi-channel analysis.

Sample Holder Options

Liquids

Single Cuvette Holder: Temperature adjustable by water/coolant circulation, fitted with integrated probe for sample temperature monitoring by spectrometer operating software. Filter slots provided for holding 50 mm square filters. This sample holder is included as part of the standard system.

Magnetic Stirrer: Magnetic Stirrer to be fitted to single cuvette holder or 3-position sample turret. The stirrer comprises three stirrer bars and a stand-alone stirrer controller.

Powders, Thin-Films and Solids

Front-Face Sample Holders: A range of single position front-face sample holders are available for powders, thin-films and solids. These include linear staged holders, rotational holders and clamps. Please contact us for more information.

Temperature Control Options

Bath/Refrigerator (-10°C – +100°C): Closed cycle water/coolant bath to be used with water-cooled sample holders. The temperature range is -10°C to +100°C. The unit comprises digital display of set and measured temperature. The temperature range at the sample position can be reduced depending on the length and the insulation of the coolant pipes used.

TE Cooled Sample Holder Standard Range (-10°C – +105°C): Thermoelectrically cooled 4-window cuvette holder with controller that enables stable temperature control of samples from -10°C to +105°C (-10°C with dry gas flow, 5°C without gas flow). The temperature can be held constant with ±0.02°C precision and can be rapidly changed. A magnetic stirrer (without stirrer bars) is included. The TE cooled sample holder is fully controlled by the spectrometer operating software F980.

TE Cooled Sample Holder Extended Range (-40°C – +150°C): Extended range thermoelectrically cooled 4-window cuvette holder with controller that enables stable temperature control of samples from -40 °C to +150 °C (-10 °C with dry gas flow, 5 °C without gas flow). The temperature can be held constant with ±0.02°C precision and can be rapidly changed. The temperature range can be extended below -10°C and above +150°C with a special cover in place and for temperatures below -10°C chilled coolant fluid will be required. A magnetic stirrer (without stirrer bars) is included. The TE cooled sample holder is fully controlled by the spectrometer operating software F980.

Polarisation / Anisotropy

Standard Range (220 nm – 900 nm): Glan Thompson polarising prism. Spectral range 220 nm – 900 nm. The polariser can be manually moved into or out of the beam. The position is recognised by the computer. When in the beam, the polarisation angle is fully computer controlled. Automated anisotropy measurements are possible if both excitation and emission polarisers are present.

Extended Range (240 nm – 2300 nm): Glan Thompson polarising prism. Spectral range 240 nm – 2300 nm. The polariser can be manually moved into or out of the beam. The position is recognised by the computer. When in the beam, the polarisation angle is fully computer controlled. Automated anisotropy measurements are possible if both excitation and emission polarisers are present.

Integrating Sphere

The integrating sphere is a demountable accessory for the measurement of fluorescence quantum yields. It is 120 mm in diameter and has an inner surface coated with BenFlect to enable efficient scattering of light over a wide wavelength range. With the integrating sphere, the measurement of fluorescence quantum yields by an absolute method, as well as reflection measurements, are possible on solutions, film and powder samples. Holders for both direct and indirect excitation is provided. Two cuvettes and two powder trays are supplied as part of the sphere accessory.

Software Upgrade

The standard F980 software package can be upgraded to include the FAST software package. This is used for advanced fluorescence lifetime analysis and includes features such as lifetime distribution analysis and exponential components analysis. Please click on the link to learn more about FAST software or contact us directly.

Microscope Attachment

For Wide-field and Single Point Measurements

The Edinburgh Instruments microscope attachment, when supplied with an FLS spectrometer, enables you to record and measure wide-field fluorescence, as well as to measure a specific point on your sample. Its allows you to finely tune both the excitation light (illumination) and the detected emission, giving you the flexibility to fully tailor your experiment to your sample.

The microscope can be supplied as either an upright and inverted microscopes. Imaging cameras are available spanning the spectrum from the visible to the near-infrared, up to 1700 nm. Excitation can be provided by halogen lamps (wide field excitation), picosecond pulsed diode lasers (EPL Series) and pulsed LEDs (EPLED Series), supercontinuum sources and Nd:YAG lasers (lasers and semiconductor sources provide point source illumination). Steady state emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime measurements can be obtained from specific spots on your sample, when using appropriate lasers. Lasers can achieve a spot size of ~1 μm (objective dependent).

The microscope control and data analysis are all carried out using a single software package. The spot measurements are intuitively displayed showing the automatic point-source “grid-like” measurement.

Other Upgrades

Multiwell Plate Reader

The multiwell plate reader is an external module that is attached to the FLS920 to perform spectral or time-resolved measurements on multi-well plates. The multiwell plate reader module is coupled to the FLS920 by means of a bifurcated optical fibre. The control of the module is fully automated from the F980 software, temperature near the well plate is recorded. Spectral range depends on spectrometer configuration and bifurcated fibre assembly. 96 well and 384 wells are available.

Titration Module

The titration accessory is based on a dual syringe Hamilton titrator (ML635) that is connected to the computer by RS232. The accessory comprise of two 1 ml syringes, connecting tubing, a flow cuvette and a light tight feed-through into the FLS920 sample chamber. Titration is controlled through the F980 software. Kinetic measurements with manual or automated titration steps and automated multiple spectral scanning are possible.